Dana 80 Help

[Tom Welsch]

I have searched all over with varying answers. Truck is a 2002 2500 6 speed manual 4x4 and im wondering what i have in my rear diff. On slippery ground only one rear tire spins and I have learned thats the tire with least traction. Also i was looking at detroit tru trac as a upgrade and would appreciate input. Truck tows heavy loads quite regulary

 

[Ozymandias]

TrueTrac is a good solution for Towing and Daily Driver, Gen3 has it from Factory.
I've TTs in both Axles, perfect Traction.

 

[GrantP]

Couldn't agree more with Ozy on that one. They are great diffs and no clutches to wear out so no more LS additive either, it's the way to go for a daily driver.

 

[Tom Welsch]

Thanks fellas, ill start looking for a tru trac then.

 

[KATOOM]

On slippery ground only one rear tire spins and I have learned thats the tire with least traction.

Is this a problem for you regularly or just an observation? Because its going to cost you upwards of $1500 to buy and have someone install a new carrier. If you have the OEM limited slip carrier already then you could have it cleaned up and rebuilt or restacked for a whole lot less. Yes, LS carriers are inherently less effective on very slippery surfaces but condition of the unit and lubricant will always play a role in how well they work overall.
Not trying to talk you out of a TT but merely informing you before the wallet opens...

 

[Tom Welsch]

Thanks for covering the rebuild area.
I guess the one wheel peels are a bit of a problem cause the truck really sucks in the snow and bad traction situations.

 

[Tom Welsch]

On the topic of this my truck has a limited slip then correct?

 

[KATOOM]

Thanks for covering the rebuild area.
I guess the one wheel peels are a bit of a problem cause the truck really sucks in the snow and bad traction situations.

You may have factory open carrier under there... My factory LS works surprisingly good.

An easy way to tell is to jack up the rear axle so both tires are off the ground. With the e-brake off and the transmission in neutral, spin one tire by hand. If the tire on the other side spins easily and obviously in the opposite direction then you have an open carrier. But if the other tire wants to spin or obviously spins in the same direction as the tire you're spinning then you have a LS carrier.

 

[KATOOM]

On the topic of this my truck has a limited slip then correct?

Following the instruction I just gave. Or...there could be a build sheet still stuck to the inside of the glove box which will let you know if there's a limited slip carrier in the rear differential. They call it something like "traction aiding..".

 

[Tom Welsch]

I wont be able to get home to my truck for a while so i cant jack it up and tell. But for the glove box all it says for rear axle is ratio and that it is a Dana-M80